The Arcadian Wild
ALL AGES PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW THE ARCADIAN WILD The Arcadian Wild is a four-piece indie folk/pop group from Nashville, TN. Led by songwriters Isaac Horn and Lincoln Mick and Bailey Warren on fiddle, The Arcadian Wild confidently inhabits and explores an intersection of genre, blending the traditional with the contemporary. Combining elements of progressive bluegrass, folk, and formal vocal music, The Arcadian Wild offer up songs of invitation; calls to come and see, to find refuge and rest, to journey and wonder, to laugh and cry, to share joy and community and sing along. The band’s 2023 album Welcome marks the start of a captivating new chapter for the genre-bending trio, who returned to the studio with renewed purpose and insight after devoting the last few years to a series of critically acclaimed singles and EPs. Like much of the band’s catalog, the album blurs the lines between chamber folk and progressive bluegrass, drawing on everything from country and classical to pop and choral music with lush harmonies and dazzling fretwork, but this time around there’s a rawness to the writing, an embrace of candor and simplicity that cuts straight to the heart of things like never before. The result is perhaps the most arresting collection yet from a band known for its ability to stop listeners dead in their tracks, an exquisitely beautiful celebration of community, connection, and the power of belonging that feels tailor-made for these challenging times. OH JEREMIAH Mississippi and Alabama got married and moved to Nashville to make music. Husband and wife team, Jeremiah and Erin Stricklin go by the moniker OH JEREMIAH to help them turn their talent and formal training into timeless stories set to the tune of life. The couple blends their folk and acoustic roots with indie-pop and americana threads that have led to several eye-catching and quirky music videos. Oh Jeremiah travels the country in the footsteps of greats like Paul Simon and Bob Dylan, adding their voices and melodies to the American tradition of musical storytelling.
Michigander
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY MICHIGANDER Michigander, who delivers elevated and eloquent songcraft, uplifting instrumentation, and plainspoken heartland storytelling punctuated by alternative flare, has racked up over 60 million career streams globally and garnered the acclaim of NPR, Paste, Consequence, SPIN, Forbes, BrooklynVegan, Guitar World, Ones To Watch, and more. In 2016, the now Nashville-based singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist’s independent debut single “Nineties” achieved viral success, claiming real estate on multiple major Spotify playlists. Michigander’s first two EPs, Midland [2018] and Where Do We Go From Here [2019], have become fan favorites, with the latter’s standout single “Misery” eclipsing 10 million streams and earning Michigander his first Triple A radio hit. 2021’s critically lauded EP Everything Will Be Ok Eventually (C3 Records) elevated his career via the Top 5 Triple A radio hit “Let Down” and Top 10 Triple A radio hit “Better.” On the road, Michigander has shared the stage with Manchester Orchestra, Band of Horses, The Lumineers, Hippo Campus, Mt. Joy, and graced the stages of such marquee festivals as Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, Summerfest, Shaky Knees and more as well as SXSW. In 2023, Michigander was back, breaking personal records, charting at radio again, and on the road with a new set of songs and a re-energized passion for his craft. Listen to the latest EP It Will Never Be The Same everywhere, out now via C3 Records and look out for a new project coming from Singer in ’24. SYDNEY SPRAGUE “Sydney Sprague channels her sadness, anxiety, and existential dread through driving guitars, shimmering melodies, and the deceptively sweet weapons of indie pop-rock and keen observation. Self-aware with a knowing injection of dark humor, her songs summon the best of 90s alt-rock and classic power-pop without sacrificing a melancholy befitting of the end times. Her music is intimate, vulnerable, confrontational, autobiographical, and strangely uplifting. Her sophomore record, somebody in hell loves you, is as devilishly saccharine as the title implies, boldly accessible and smart. The positive press, word-of-mouth, and a stellar tour with Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional helped make organic streaming hits out of songs like “steve,” “quitter,” and “i refuse to die”; “object permanence” boasts nearly 1 million streams on Spotify alone. “As a smaller artist, it’s almost impossible financially,” Sydney says of her relentless schedule. “But I love it so much.” Sydney wrote most of somebody in hell loves you during the pandemic lockdowns, and yet, it’s decidedly less angsty than its predecessor. “And not because I’m a less angsty person,” she clarifies. “Obviously, none of us were in a good place in 2020. It was a depressing time. But I didn’t want to wallow in that. I wrote more as an exercise to distract myself from my woes.” A lot of the songs became observational storytelling, exploring the drama of people around her and revisiting her past.”
River & Rail w/ Thomas Kozak and Liliana Hudgens
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE RIVER & RAIL Grace and Alex wedded in 2021, moving to Nashville, TN and establishing themselves as an up and coming Folk/Americana duo, River & Rail. Grace’s enchanting lyricism, storytelling, and dynamic vocals lend themselves to Alex’s bed of melancholy acoustic instruments and intentional production. In 2023, the duo released their debut EP “Trees and other Relatives” written by Grace, a collection of rich stories recalled from her own family line, and produced by Alex. LILIANA HUDGENS The Appalachian region is spilling over with terrific up-and-coming musicians these days, many clustered around the beautiful artists’ haven of Asheville, North Carolina. That includes Liliana Hudgens, a singer-songwriter whose new seven-song EP Last Line explores the blurry boundaries between country, folk and a retro brand of pop rock descended from The Everly Brothers whose “So Sad” is covered here. Meanwhile, Hudgens’s originals demonstrate both her knack for writing memorable melodies and her considerable vocal capabilities. Few can flutter around a prolonged note like her. THOMAS KOZAK Thomas Kozak is a singer-songwriter based in Asheville, NC. With a focus on lyricism and structure that stretches convention, he looks to bend an ear beyond the expected. His blend of intricate picking patterns and soft, dark vocals has led his music to be described as meditative and intimate. A poet as well, Kozak places considerable emphasis on his lyrics, which move beyond the classic narrative progression. In 2019, Kozak linked up with the critically-acclaimed Americana artist Jim White (“Wrong-Eyed Jesus”/“No Such Place”) who would produce his first full-length album, “The Rubicon.” Engineered by John Keane and released on June 3rd, 2022, “The Rubicon” is an exploration of the ongoing life of the decisions one makes, traced through to a culminating acceptance, all against the wildly diverse soundscape Jim White is known for. Kozak’s new EP, “Our Lady of Embers,”(released April 20th) plays with the concept of divine intercession and the desire to construct externalizations of interior struggles in order to face them more clearly. All six songs were engineered by Mike Johnson (of Slowpacker) at Citizen Studios and Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville.
PATIO: Electric Blue Yonder
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEELECTRIC BLUE YONDERElectric Blue Yonder is a musical group like no other, featuring Beth Hataway and Johnny Veres as its core members. Their music takes the listener on a journey through space and time, blending influences from folk, rock, and ambient music into a unique sound that is both familiar and alien.Beth’s haunting vocals and Johnny’s intricate guitar work are the perfect match, creating a sonic landscape that captivates audiences and leaves them spellbound. Their music touches on themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world, conveying heartfelt emotions and genuine experiences.Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Electric Blue Yonder continued to showcase their music through virtual performances and interviews, captivating audiences with their otherworldly sounds and unique blend of space-folk. Their debut album, “B/TST Between Space and Time,” was released just two weeks before the pandemic began, but the band’s unwavering commitment to their craft enabled them to overcome adversity and continue to create and perform.Their sophomore album, “Mourning Sounds,” takes listeners on a metaphorical journey through the process of loss and grieving, highlighting the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and find a way forward. The album’s message of friendship, perseverance, and radical acceptance resonates deeply, garnering critical acclaim from prestigious outlets such as American Songwriter, Americana UK, and V13.With their innovative blend of musical styles and themes, Electric Blue Yonder has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the world of indie music. Their continued growth and evolution as artists, while staying true to their unique sound and vision, is a testament to their talent and commitment to their craft.Their highly anticipated album, “MicroPARTY,” promises to be a celebration of life’s small moments, with catchy hooks and danceable beats that will have listeners grooving along in no time. The album’s production is said to be top-notch, with expertly crafted layers of synths, guitar riffs, and vocals that create a sonic landscape that is both immersive and exhilarating. Electric Blue Yonder’s music is a beacon of hope in a world that is ever more complex and uncertain, reminding listeners that the human spirit is capable of reaching for the stars. Their unique sound and commitment to their craft are sure to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come.
PATIO: Drunken Prayer
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEDRUNKEN PRAYER Drunken Prayer transcends the bounds of Americana music. Whether a big country soul band, gospel power trio or just a voice and guitar, Drunken Prayer is always Morgan Geer. Morgan writes songs that could emerge from a highly blissed-out biker bar or a swampy ashram. For his most recent release, 2023’s The Name Of The Ghost Is Home, Geer worked from his backyard studio in North Carolina with Paul Oldham (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Royal Trux), building on drum tracks initially recorded in New Mexico at Empty House, home of doom metal bands like OM and Sleep. The end result evokes an ominous Acid Western feedback-and-driftwood aesthetic. Preceding the last record was the acclaimed LP Cordelia Elsewhere, mixed by Mitch Easter (Let’s Active, REM). Drunken Prayer is currently finishing up an album of gospel covers, recording at the original Fat Possum studio in North Mississippi, with members of Drive-by Truckers and Squirrel Nut Zippers. Morgan Geer and his Drunken Prayer have played hundreds of shows across 18 countries and across the US at venues such as the Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon Music Festival and San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. Drunken Prayer’s music has been featured on NPR, AMC, WFMU and Little Steven’s Garage on SiriusXM. On the side Morgan is the lead guitar player for alt-country goths Freakwater, writes for a diversity of artists and plays bass in local honky-tonk and soul bands. He’s also been touring internationally; opening for and often joining The Handsome Family. Morgan Geer lives in the mountains of southern Appalachia.
The Dirty French Broads: Kate’s 30th Birthday Boondoggle!
ALL AGES STANDING ROOM ONLY Come celebrate Kate’s big Dirty 30 with The Dirty Frenchies and their swamp grass friends The Shoaldiggers! (no pressure but the more costumes and glitter, the happier Kate will be) THE DIRTY FRENCH BROADS This rowdy grass band from Asheville, NC brings sultry ballads and boot-stomping cut-a-rugs with the energy of a thousand golden retriever puppies seeing their first snowfall. Leading lady Kate Thomas captivates you with her smoky Tyler Childers timbre, endearing songwriting, and sharp Donkey-from-Shrek wit, then steals your heart with her crooked smile and spirited storytelling. She and her lively crew have a warm authenticity and contagious energy that wears holes in shoes and fills them in hearts. Toss a handful of groovy Newgrass, a sprinkle of Jeannie’s magic fairy dust, and whatever Americana is into a blender, and you’ve got The Dirty French Broads. THE SHOALDIGGERS The Shoaldiggers’ nine pieces produce a one of a kind sound that is completely unique, yet familiar enough to embrace. From rolling seascapes to the hollers of the smokey mountains,Shoaldiggers shows are a swamp grass blast!
[CANCELED] PATIO: 5J Barrow
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE 5J BARROW From the historic Apollo Theater to the open air of Washington Square Park, 5j Barrow has inspired audiences with soulful music, evocative imagery, and lyrics that tug at the heart. Founded by Broadway performers and newlyweds, Eryn Murman and Jason Hite in the fall of 2011 in NYC, 5j Barrow was named “Best Band in NY” after winning The Greene Space WNYC/WQXR’s ‘Battle of the Boroughs 2014’. They’ve built a loyal following on the streets of the city and just completed a year-long tour of North America with performances that are both intimate and rousing. 5j Barrow released their debut album From the Dim Sweet Light in 2014, and their first two installments of three upcoming EPs produced by Grammy nominated David Mayfield, were released in October 2017 titled The Journey, Vol. 1 and May 2018 The Journey, Vol. 2. Volume 3 was released in May 2019. While they continue to tour extensively, they are now based out of Asheville, NC.
PATIO: Moon Bride + Jason Scavone
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEMOON BRIDE Indie-pop artist, Moon Bride (formerly Carly Taich) has a voice that is all at once timeless yet contemporary, otherworldly yet grounded. Her warm and airy vocal quality, reminiscent of Regina Spektor, instantly captivates listeners while her award-winning lyrics give new life to themes of doubt and faith, fear and love. Framing her songs with cinematic orchestrations and unusual melodies, Moon Bride ushers us into another dimension, with one foot planted in this reality. Her 2024 LP, Insomnie, which crowd-funded over $24,000 through Kickstarter, is an eclectic 12-song journey through the inner mind, weaving around genres and time periods, refusing to be pinned down. It “explores the deep and nervy recesses of creativity, loneliness, insecurity, and self-discovery [Newsong Music].” Since the release of her 2017 album, Reverie, listeners have wondered whether Moon Bride is luring us into a dream or shaking us awake. Insomnie’s premiere track answers our quandary in the most forthright way: “Rise up, rise up, why are you sleeping?” JASON SCAVONE With an undeniable gift for songwriting that illuminates the joyous, mundane and oftentimes bewildering experiences of life, North Carolina based singer, songwriter & producer Jason Scavone has developed a unique sound that transcends traditional genre barriers, delivering a unique musical thumbprint that seamlessly melds the best of indie, pop, americana & rock. Highlights from Jason’s musical journey include serving as frontman/songwriter for The Noises 10, recording a duet of “My Repair” with Brandi Carlile, and performing with acts like Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, American Authors, Plain White T’s, Thirty Seconds To Mars, & Derek Trucks Band. His songs have been featured in TV shows like One Tree Hill, Criminal Minds, The City, commercials for Range Rover and Bojangles, as well as Indie films such as Poor Boy, and Valiant. Jason has worked in recording studios for almost 20 years alongside such notable producers as Eric Valentine, Al Sutton, Joe Pisapia, and Tom Schick.
PATIO: Samantha Rise + Whitney Monge
ALL AGES LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVESAMANTHA RISE samantha rise (they/them) is a black, nonbinary performer, artist, and human-amplifier. One of WXPN’s artists to watch, samantha made a power reentry into Philly’s music scene with their Black Opry residency at World Cafe Live, weaving high country and deep roots into their original music.A recipient of the 2023 Pew Fellowship for the Arts, Rise believes that creativity and community are our primary technologies for healing, transformative justice and self-determination. Rise combines their original music with advocacy, designing and implementing creative direct action with social justice organizers to build a more just and equitable world. WHITNEY MONGE Americana Soul singer-songwriter & guitarist, Whitney Mongé built her 16 year music career starting as a prolific street performer in Seattle, WA, working her way to major stages around the world. She has supported Ziggy Marley, KT Tunstall, Amy Helm, Allen Stone, Big Boi, and performed mainstage with Black Opry at Newport Folk Festival (2023). Whitney has also sold out her own headlining shows, and has toured the US & Europe in support of her four album releases Steadfast (2014), Stone (2017), Carry On (2018) and Whitney Mongé Live with The Seattle Symphony (2020) showcasing her relatable songwriting, powerhouse vocals and rhythmic blues guitar playing. Mongé also stars in an award winning film about her busking journey, “Find Your Way: a Busker’s Documentary” with Chris Ballew (Presidents of the United States) & Joshua Bell (violinist). Currently Whitney resides in Asheville, NC and is working on a new album.
Willie Watson
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYWILLIE WATSON Soon before Willie Watson turned 18, he met God in an apple orchard. Or at the very least, he met there a man named Ruby Love, the older friend of a high-school buddy who had an enormous Martin guitar and a seemingly bigger understanding of the American folk songbook. Watson was existentially thirsty: A high-school dropout from upstate New York’s Finger Lakes, he was fast on his way to his first heartbreak and in a first band that didn’t take itself seriously enough. But that night in an apple orchard that had always seemed magical, at a graduation party for one of his bandmates and best friends, Watson and Love sang a few of those old songs together—“Worried Man Blues” and “Tennessee Waltz.” It was the first time Watson had cried while singing, the first time he had made the connection between making music and making sense of his life. He never saw Ruby Love again, but within months of that foundational 1997 rendezvous, he met the musicians with whom he’d soon start Old Crow Medicine Show. Call it revelation, fate, resurrection, whatever you will; for Watson, more than a quarter-century later, it was a duet with the divine. As told in the talking-gospel masterpiece “Reap ’em in the Valley,” that scene is the transfixing finale of Watson’s self-titled debut as a songwriter and as a human at last making music to make sense of his life. Yes, Watson has released two albums since he left Old Crow Medicine Show a dozen years ago and since his long-term collaborations with David Rawlings and Gillian Welch. But those records, both titled Folk Singer, were sets of tunes he knew, interpretations of the songbook he has diligently mined since even before that night in the apple orchard. At 44, however, he feels that Willie Watson is his first-ever true album, having finally lived and lost and simply witnessed enough to know he has something to sing with his exquisite rural tenor. Every memory, Watson likes to say, is surrounded by a shroud of sadness, whether it’s good or bad. And there are lots of memories in a life, all mixed: Though the band he started soon after that night with Ruby Love long gave him a purpose and career, it conscripted him into a role as an old-fashioned folkie, forever stuck playing a part that got tiring. Marriage and fatherhood became boons in their own time, but they kept him bound to Los Angeles, its sprawl and selfishness causing a country boy like Watson to lose himself again. And there was the stereotypical excess of it all, too, the habits of hard living nearly breaking Watson in his 30s. But after he lost those relationships, he slowly got sober and faced himself head on, working to be honest about the traumas of his childhood that had helped create the troubles of adulthood. Sobriety, though, was never enough for Watson. He wanted that shift to prompt change and growth, to force him into situations that were beneficial because they were uncomfortable and challenging. That, in many ways, is the motivation of these nine songs and the only album he’s ever felt deserved to bear his name. VIV & RILEY Viv & Riley’s sound is old-soul roots music to its core, elegantly combining a traditional backbone with the fresh iconic melodies of future-leaning indie-folk, and the tightly wound vocal harmonies of the old-time and classic country music they came from.
